Colle-Zukertort System: Attack & Enjoy!

How to play the Colle-Zukertort System? Is it a sound opening choice for an attacking chess player? Is it a good option for a beginner or it works better for a club level player? How to attack with white in this opening? What is the best defense for black against it? Is there a good model game to help me understand the Colle-Zukertort System? - those and more questions this video is trying to answer!
In this video, for the first time, I got the opportunity to say something about Magnus's attitude towards his opponents, for which he is generally perceived either as a true gentleman or justified as a genius. While I can agree that he certainly possesses extraordinary intellectual and creative power, especially in our chess world, the way he is treated as a person is a strange phenomenon to me, to say the least.
However, that part is only related to the game model, in which 1. e3 can be found, taken as a possible way of underestimating the opponent. But the story was presented to the audience only to show that one could play the Colle-Zukertort system using a different order of moves, even starting with move 1. e3.
Here you can find the basic setup for White and Black and how White's attack usually develops. There is the typical Ne5, followed by f4 and the rook lift, but also the move Qf3 followed by Qh3, which is known from the Susan Polgar's opus.
This is not a system that can be taken from a pawn structure strategy perspective, as there is one unique structure, which later develops into a kingside attack by playing f2-f4 (possibly f4-f5 later). But the higher-level strategy is non-existent, as the game quickly takes a tactical turn after the opening. That's why I'd suggest it to those players of beginner/intermediate and club level. (In the beginning of the video I am mentioning that the system helped me to get my FIDE master title.)
💡 THEMES
- Introduction: why to play the Colle-Zukertort?
- How it can be reached?
- Main features of the Colle-Zukertort:
a) c2-pawn does not move (the reason is provided)
b) Ne5 and the attack starts
c) f2-f4 or Qf3-Qh3
d) in case black captures on e5, should it be recaptured with the d- or f-pawn?
e) best option for Black
f) the model game and "guess the move" moments
- Takeaways/guidelines from the model game
- The model game's background
- Alternatives to get to the Colle-Zukertort
- When we shouldn't use the System?
🔥 CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:48 Move order
2:10 The c2-pawn stays!
2:59 Nf3-e5 starts the attack!
3:20 Be careful with f2-f4
3:50 Attack from the model game
5:16 Find the winning move (1)
5:57 Find the winning move (2)
7:20 Find the winning move (3)
7:53 Take-aways (key points, guidelines)
9:22 When the Colle-Zukertort doesn't work?
10:45 The story behind the model game
12:02 Alternatives to get into the System
🔍 MODEL GAME
Aleksandar Kekenj [YUG] (2215) - Nicolas Templier [FRA] (2145)
Oropesa del Mar, 1998
(Colle-Zukertort System)
1.e3 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. b3 c5 4. Bb2 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O d5 8. Nbd2 b6 9. a3 Bb7 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nd7 12. Qg4 a6 13. f4 g6 14. f5 exf5 15. Rxf5 b5 16. Raf1 Qb6 17. Rh5 Bc8 18. Bf5 Qc6 19. Rf3 Nb6 20. e6 Bxe6 21. Bxg6 fxg6 22. Qxg6+ 1-0
Level of chess understanding required: Beginner/Intermediate.
#collezukertort
#chessopenings
🔊 JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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Instagram: / very_bad_bishop
Twitter: / badbishop_chess

Пікірлер: 78

  • @ReflectionOcean
    @ReflectionOcean5 ай бұрын

    - Utilize an attacking setup to simplify development and gameplay (0:00). - Develop your pieces consistently within the system for familiarity (0:08). - Embrace the ease of learning this setup to avoid heavy opening theory (0:30). - Respond to opponents' threats like C4 with specific movements such as B3 (1:33). - Keep the C2 pawn stationary to maintain a strong center during attacks (2:16). - Begin kingside attacks with the move Knight E5, aiming to advance the F pawn (2:58). - Prefer to recapture with the F pawn after trades on E5 to open the F file (3:13). - Watch for Black's E4 square usage to counter it effectively (3:22). - Involve heavy pieces like the queen and rooks in the kingside attack (4:21). - Recognize optimal moments to deviate from the setup against certain strategies (9:22).

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Wow, that's amazing! Thank you so much! (Pinning your comment right now!)

  • @DauntlessTony
    @DauntlessTonyАй бұрын

    This is my dream opening! At age 65 I guess it's not too late for me to employ it in my games!! Thank you so much for sharing it! 🙏😊!!

  • @kesetokaiba
    @kesetokaiba5 ай бұрын

    Nice video. I knew about this system by name and little else; it was good to see some of the attacking motifs in action and the 1. e3 move order was an intriguing addition as well.

  • @alexmiller3220
    @alexmiller32205 ай бұрын

    Can't wait for more content on Colle-Zukertort System! Make more videos please!

  • @JustMe3.1415
    @JustMe3.14155 ай бұрын

    Again, great content 🔱 And the same goes for the format of the clip. It really supports the understanding. Looking forward for more!

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Great to hear that!

  • @michaelvpolito942
    @michaelvpolito9424 ай бұрын

    wonderful lesson

  • @SEAKPhotog
    @SEAKPhotog5 ай бұрын

    I really enjoy playing this.👍🏻 Merry Christmas!

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Same here!

  • @gambapuirida6216
    @gambapuirida62164 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much for this great explanation of the Colle-Zukertort opening as well as for the warnings about which black setups it can be used against - which was very helpful + a good refresher for me. Even if I loved that this opening leads most of the time in some kind of Pillsbury attack - which is so much fun for white -, I ended to stop using it because I happened to feel stuck in some cases - eg when black used some of the setups you mentioned -, and couldn’t find any solution. Now that I know in which cases to go on with the plan or when to stop or to push the c2 pawn, I will give it a try again! Thanks!

  • @pulsering9859
    @pulsering98593 ай бұрын

    Thank you for sharing!

  • @alexhajji2480
    @alexhajji24805 ай бұрын

    Thank you for your time and efforts

  • @RedSword69
    @RedSword695 ай бұрын

    Nice video format, good video

  • @AllenProxmire
    @AllenProxmire5 ай бұрын

    best colle z vid I've seen. would love more. no one has explored it in depth

  • @eddieray8095
    @eddieray80953 ай бұрын

    I love this opening, thank you.

  • @chrismacleod2879
    @chrismacleod28795 ай бұрын

    I can highly recommend this system. I got my rating from around 1800 to over 2000 in around 2000 to 2002 by abandoning the mainline 1d4 openings and going for this. My mainline ideas are still useful when my opponent goes with Grunfeld, KI, or Bf5 Bg4 early lines. Summerscale "Killer Chess Opening Reperoire" is very good on this and the 150 attack which I also play against 1.. d6.

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the comment! If it is not a problem, can you post the way you play against the KID and Grunfeld setup, and against these early bishop moves (to g4 or f5)? Just curious how it works and is it objectively okay for White.

  • @margaretmcpherson2912

    @margaretmcpherson2912

    5 ай бұрын

    Summerscale goes for : 1.d4 Nf6, 2. Nf3 g6, 3. Nc3 and if 3...d5 then 4.Bf4 otherwise if 3....d6 or g6 then he goes for the standard 150 attack in the Pirc with 4. e4 followed by Be3. In both cases there is likely 0-0-0 with a king side attack on Black (plenty of h4 lines etc.) @@BadBishopChess

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Although that setup (London/Jobava London) doesn't have anything with the Colle-Zukertort. It is certainly an option, but a new setup, aiming to avoid well-known, main openings. I meant is there any suggestion related or similar to the Colle-Zukertort pawn structure.

  • @margaretmcpherson2912

    @margaretmcpherson2912

    5 ай бұрын

    1.d4 Nf6, 2.Nf3 g6, 3. b3 with the idea of Bb2, c4, Nbd2, Be2/d3 etc. like a Black system against the Kings Indian Attack or Catalan. @@BadBishopChess

  • @margaretmcpherson2912

    @margaretmcpherson2912

    5 ай бұрын

    sorry I meant the system with 5e3 rather than the anti Pirc e4 system that White can play against a Black d6 (which is less similar and I suppose you are not interested in)

  • @ableenk
    @ableenk5 ай бұрын

    very cool! need more

  • @juanpablosulaiman
    @juanpablosulaiman5 ай бұрын

    Excelent video. I would like to see more about this sistem y the nexts videos

  • @mcronrn
    @mcronrn25 күн бұрын

    Thx! 👏

  • @davidmchugh7264
    @davidmchugh72642 ай бұрын

    Nice video

  • @seansr1953
    @seansr19535 ай бұрын

    Cool man. Thanks.

  • @Grandcapi
    @Grandcapi4 ай бұрын

    Great game and video. Thanks for sharing. I used to play this system with good results. Your tips are easy to memorize and helpful.Please continue the series.

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks a lot for your support!

  • @v9lx_199
    @v9lx_1995 ай бұрын

    nice vid ❤

  • @arcticraven2462
    @arcticraven24623 ай бұрын

    Great clear teaching. Id buy a course on this from you.

  • @philtaylor1483
    @philtaylor14833 ай бұрын

    Please, more content on Colle-Zukertort System!

  • @najjarnader5043
    @najjarnader50433 ай бұрын

    Please more of that

  • @user-os6bv6jb1t
    @user-os6bv6jb1t5 ай бұрын

    I play the Zukertort a lot. Very easy dynamic system. This is not one of those gimmicky trick openings. This is solid and I get very good play out of it.

  • @90DegreesAngle_
    @90DegreesAngle_5 ай бұрын

    i would love a video going deeper into how black should play against this system. i have lost too many games to it because i can never seem to stop the attack. controlling the e4 square is already a good tip but i would love you explain it a little further

  • @martentje61
    @martentje615 ай бұрын

    It is a great system. Only once I totally screwed up, not paying attention to what my opponent was playing: 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.b3 Ne4. So far, so good. But then: 5.Nbd2?? Nc3 0-1. OMG.

  • @lavictoire1960

    @lavictoire1960

    3 ай бұрын

    In some ways I'm more afraid of knights than bishops.

  • @eaglemacawile5265
    @eaglemacawile52655 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for sharing this i love this and i am using it too but what should i do if at move eleven black should not go back to Nd7 instead attack on Ne7 hope to see more video about colle-Zukertort system Merry Christmas!

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for your comment! In another video on the System I should be dealing with the Ne4 instead of Nd7 (and those other things mentioned Black can use). It won't be that fun 🙂 but definitely one should have something prepared as White. Merry Christmas!

  • @michaelskipp4011
    @michaelskipp40115 ай бұрын

    thank you, great instruction, but it would have been better if you showed what to do in the case of knight d5.

  • @jdwarke
    @jdwarke4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for this it's been interesting and successful to experiment with - what do you recommend if Black does play Ne4?

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the comment! It is not that clear, and it depends when their Ne4 happens. Most likely we'll trade on e4 for their Knight, but the way to do it, and what is the best follow up, that depends on position of other pieces on the board. I can't tell what is the case in theory :(

  • @user-ts9wr5nt9v
    @user-ts9wr5nt9v5 ай бұрын

    Great appetizer to the Colle-Zukertort - thanks for sharing. I miss the critical 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 and also the related 3...c6. And after 1.d4 d6 you better forget the Colle-Zukertort and play 2.e4 instead. Nethertheless a very entertaining video.

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the comment!! In case of the critical 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 Bf5 I suggest the same as against 2...Bf5 - transposing into the c4-lines. The move 3...c6 is the most challenging. I'd normally transpose to the c4-lines again, but it is asking for understanding of another system - similar to the one presented here, only with the flexibility of moving c2-c4 in some cases. Definitely more videos are required to support the whole repertoire. I'll try to cover the complete opening repertoire for white in future videos. Certainly it can't be used the way people often use the London System - on autopilot.

  • @user-or5mq9ue3w
    @user-or5mq9ue3w5 ай бұрын

    Wow after 30 years of inventing and using this attack, someone gave it a flashy name

  • @eclecticexplorer7828
    @eclecticexplorer782825 күн бұрын

    I have paused my playing to look for some new additions to my opening repertoire. The Zukertort Opening looked promising at first glance, especially given that most players at my level (1300) won't know how to play it. This video was very helpful, particularly for the list of pointers given at the end of the video. I have made note of them. One thing that I am noticing is that there is no mention of what happens if black plays cxd4. It is the second most common move for black on move 5 (19%) and the most common on move 6, so it would be good to know the proper continuation. I did see the win at 6:00. Would I have seen it if I didn't know there was a winning move available? Maybe not, although I did have it in mind since Rh5 was played. I did not see the following one.

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    24 күн бұрын

    There is a nice point behind the cxd4 move (at any moment played), but also a drawback. Black wants to exchange the dark-square bishops (which is completely counter-intuitive idea), playing Bd6, Qe7 and Ba3 (trading for the White b2-bishop). Even though it looks good for White to exchange these bishops, they lose control on dark-squares (c3, a3, also e5 and d4). Bad thing for black is that white gets more space thanks to the e3xd4 (open e-file, great for lifting a rook on e3 at some point). Important for White in that case is to play a3 on time, to prevent Black's plan of Bd6-a3; but this means that the a1-rook needs to babysit the a3 pawn. Anyway, I am planning a video on this idea, known mainly from the Nimzo-indian defense.

  • @AlexSanchez-ff8nm
    @AlexSanchez-ff8nmАй бұрын

    What if black intends on taking on d4? A b3 and c3 pawn structure, with likely exchange seems fine, no?

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    Ай бұрын

    If black takes on d4, White usually recaptures with exd4, then Ne5 (supported by b2-bishop) with an attack on the kingside.

  • @theroaman8759
    @theroaman875915 күн бұрын

    What do recommend against kings Indian if you’ve already played e4

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    15 күн бұрын

    It will definitelly be one that includes Nf3, as you play it on move 2. Saemisch, Four pawns attack and even Averbakh variation - those are off.

  • @Driftload
    @Driftload5 ай бұрын

    What about 1. d4 e5 2. Kf3 e6? If black plays e5 on move 1 what is your response?

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Maybe you meant 1...d5, cause 1...e5 is not an opening worth a discussion. It may work on a very, very low level as a trick, but there is no need to mention in a video intended to help players of intermediate and advanced level. In case you're seriously asking, white should definitely take the-e5 pawn. 🙂

  • @aaGageaeGGqe
    @aaGageaeGGqe2 ай бұрын

    Question about the first puzzle. If you play e6, can't black just respond with f6?

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    2 ай бұрын

    In case of f6, black knight on d7 gets taken by the e6-pawn, and White is winning.

  • @aaGageaeGGqe

    @aaGageaeGGqe

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@BadBishopChessWhat about e6 f6 exd7 cxd3? It doesn't look overwhelmingly winning for white here, but i'm probably missing something.

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    2 ай бұрын

    You are right! My appologies! I didn't put the pieces on the board to check, but indeed, the f6 move keeps Black in the game. White is better, but not even close to winning. Thanks!

  • @Brand-zs3qk
    @Brand-zs3qk5 ай бұрын

    what if they take cxd4, we take with pawn or knight?

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    We take with the e3-pawn. Further the plan is similar to what one does in the Carlsbad pawn structure, the one who has their pawn chain pointing towards the kingside. (We attack on the kingside, only this time the open e-file makes things even better for us, as it is easier to cover the e4-square, or lift our rook to the third rank via e3.) I am sorry for not covering that option in this video. There is going to be another on that matter soon, similar position, only with reversed colors.

  • @jamessmith4319
    @jamessmith43195 күн бұрын

    in place of e6 they play Bg4 after d5-can Colle Zuke handle Bg4

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    4 күн бұрын

    Is this the move order: 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Bg4?

  • @DarthMessias
    @DarthMessiasАй бұрын

    I have tried to play this system and everybody claims you will often get into the Colle Zukertort. Unfortunately that is not the case. Most of the time your opponents will avoid with KID setup or Slav. I don't know why Master players constantly thinks their situation is equal to lower rated players...xD

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    Ай бұрын

    For sure, one needs to know what to do against those other systems too, as mentioned in the video starting at 9:22

  • @saval35
    @saval3511 күн бұрын

    لطفا همزمان با گفتن اسم هر خانه، مثلا e4 یا c5 لطفا روی صفحه هم نشان بدهید چون افرادی مثل من که حرفه ای نیستیم هنوز اسم خانه ها را بلد نیستیم.

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    11 күн бұрын

    Usually I spend a lot of time synchronizing what is said with what is happening on the board, but it is possible that I missed something in this video. Thanks!

  • @A_Lex
    @A_Lex5 ай бұрын

    Первый лайк поставил

  • @leeronwebb
    @leeronwebb23 күн бұрын

    I just played this system against a 700-rated computer opponent and it had me unraveling by move 5: 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 Bd6 5. b3 Bb4+ I’ll try it again and see what happens …

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    23 күн бұрын

    If Bb4+ is the problem, why not 0-0 instead of b3? 🙂

  • @leeronwebb

    @leeronwebb

    23 күн бұрын

    @@BadBishopChess Thank you for this tip! I will use this in my next match! 😀

  • @leeronwebb

    @leeronwebb

    23 күн бұрын

    Well, I’m a real beginner. Hit another snag. 😅 1. d4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bd3 Bg4 5. b3 g6 6. 0-0 b6 7. Nbd2 Nb4 8. a3 Nxd3 I lost my queen bishop in turn 8, which pretty much undoes my strategy.

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    22 күн бұрын

    That's why one shouldn't put the "system opening" or a developing scheme above general opening principles and close own eyes to what is happening on the board (what your opponent is playing). The System works in case Black plays decent moves, but when they play something different, we should ask - why that thing is not mentioned (or seen) before? Usually there is a good reason. For instance, in your line, as White, I would deviate from our main system setup on move two, just after seeing their Nc6 move, and play 2. e4 - grabbing space snd center control. You get much more for yourself with this e4 then playing anything else in that position. So, question is - why to continue with my system? And later as well you could and should have deviated from the main setup, since Black didn't play e6 with their LSB being behind the pawn chain (it was in front). In those cases there is a need for another strategy for White to use. As well as when black plays Nc6 at some point, after d7-d5 is done. All those are suboptimal solutions for Black to which White responds by punishing them playing something other than those system setup moves. I am afraid those suboptimal moves are not explained in this video, and I may try to create another one on that topic.

  • @leeronwebb

    @leeronwebb

    22 күн бұрын

    @@BadBishopChess Thank you for this detailed response, Aleksandar. I am currently playing at an 800 level so I don't have a knowledge of the alternatives available to me but this feedback helps me to see the game from a broader scope.

  • @tomas-wi8dy
    @tomas-wi8dy5 ай бұрын

    Colle System look like a reversed color Queen Gambit

  • @BadBishopChess

    @BadBishopChess

    5 ай бұрын

    Exactly! Although Colle System is a bit different than this, with c3, d4 and e3, and the DSB is on c1. It is a reversed Semi-Slav. But here we have a reversed Queen's Gambit with an early e3. And there is also a line in the Nimzo-Indian which I play as Black, where the same setup is eventually created, only the bishop goes first to b4, and after a3 gets back to d6. My initial idea was to make a video on that setup for Black, but decided to first create a video for White, and then refer to this when discussing Black's setup.

  • @tomas-wi8dy

    @tomas-wi8dy

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@BadBishopChess Please do the black perspective video too.